Emmet Mullins is on the edge of his seat, anxiously awaiting the fate of two of his top Cheltenham Festival handicap contenders. The decision will determine if they'll make the cut, with one horse, McLaurey, having the reserve option of running in the Midlands National. Mullins is hoping that McLaurey, who last won at the Dublin Racing Festival, will sneak into either the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase or the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase, both of which he is a chance to win. However, he's less confident about J'Arrive De L'Est making the cut for the Kim Muir, for which he is a 12-1 chance, with the Midlands National as a ready alternative. Mullins admits that it's going to be a 'touch and go' situation for both races, and he'll know more after confirmations. Meanwhile, Mullins is also optimistic about Backmersackme's chances in the Princess Royal National Hunt Chase Novices' Handicap Chase, and Its On The Line's bid to complete a hat-trick of hunter chases. He's also keen to run Dream On Baby in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on Thursday. Mullins is confident that everything is on track for these horses, and he's ready to make final decisions at the declaration stage.
